Erik Gustafsson, D
The only one-way NHL contract the Kings signed on the blue line on Day 1 of free agency was former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Erik Gustafsson. Holland and the Kings added a defenseman with offensive skill and puck-moving abilities on a low-risk, $1 million contract for the 2026-27 season.
What Gustafsson brings is another puck-moving option who can improve the Kings' transition game while adding some secondary offense from the blue line. In 137 regular season games he's played with the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals under Laviolette as the head coach, Gustafsson scored 13 goals, 56 assists, and 69 total points.
He was also a key contributor on the blue line in the Rangers' run to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2024 postseason, playing all 16 games for New York while registering three assists and three total points.
Gustafsson can also give the Kings another option who can quarterback the second unit on special teams on the power play from the point.
Why this signing made sense for the Kings was that Gustafsson gives the team depth option on the blue line on a low-risk one-year contract, who can compete for minutes on the blue line this upcoming season.
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